24/7 Training: Improving HIV Prevention for African American Youth

描述（由申请人提供）：非洲裔美国人（AA）社区中不成比例的高艾滋病毒/艾滋病感染率是美国持续的公共卫生危机。在过去的二十年里，制定了几个循证方案，包括关注青年方案。FOY是一个全国公认的以证据为基础的计划，在社区环境中为AA青年;它增加了性活跃青年的安全套使用和禁欲青年使用安全套的意图。社区青年工作者和机构需要得到培训和支持，以有效地推广循证优先事项。有效领导EBP的一个重要方面是实施的保真度，其中一个主要重点是坚持核心计划元素。如果青年工作者做好准备，并有知识、技能、动力和支持，忠实地执行课程，FOY更有可能得到忠实的教学，并复制积极的学生成果。尽管基于技能的培训对执行效力产生了积极影响，但社区青年工作者往往不参加或无法参加面对面的培训，原因是机会有限、费用、差旅和时间限制。面对面的培训往往不提供持续的支持和机会，以加强过去的学习-这是至关重要的。拟议的第二阶段SBIR将开发并严格评估在线培训和支持系统的有效性，即“24/7 FOY培训”。培训将与EBP复制文献保持一致，并将包括：1）课程和核心组成部分的方向; 2）活动建模，实践操作，适应指导，实施技巧，以及3）实施挑战的技术援助。培训将反映成人学习理论，并结合在线学习的创新，如高度互动的、媒体丰富的技能练习和反馈模拟，用于快速有效培训的个性化学习链，用户生成的内容（包括播客），以及可在移动的设备上访问或打印的在线闪存卡。为了测试24/7 FOY培训的有效性，我们将进行一项前测/后测随机对照试验，在青年工作者中进行随机化（主持人）配对水平到两个臂中的一个：1）在线训练干预臂;或2）社区标准（自我准备）对照组。由于FOY由两位辅导员领导，我们将招募约230对社区青年工作者参与，每支手臂大约有115对。拟议的研究将为培训社区青年工作者提供一个模式，以有效实施FOY核心内容要素所不可或缺的活动。 如果这一模式被证明是有效的，在该赠款下开发的在线技能培训将提供一种方便、低成本、“永远在线”的培训和实施支助服务。 公共卫生相关性：非洲裔美国人社区的艾滋病毒感染是美国持续的公共卫生危机。在过去的二十年里，制定了几个循证方案，包括关注青年方案。鉴于最近其他有希望的预防举措（例如，疫苗试验和杀微生物剂），有效传播和执行这些循证方案的重要性变得更加重要。然而，尽管基于技能的培训对执行效果有着众所周知的积极影响，但由于时间、金钱或其他障碍，社区青年工作者往往没有或无法获得他们所需要的关于这些方案的培训。拟议的在线培训计划和支持系统，即“24/7 FOY培训”，将使社区青年工作者做好准备，有效地实施FOY核心内容要素所不可或缺的活动，这是忠诚的一个关键方面。如果这种模式被证明是有效的，那么根据该赠款开发的在线技能培训将提供一种方便、低成本、“始终在线”的培训和实施支持服务，这将有助于防止艾滋病毒在非裔美国人社区的传播。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The disproportionately high rate of HIV/AIDS in African American (AA) communities is a continuing public health crisis in the US. Over the last two decades, several evidence-based programs (EBPs), including Focus on Youth (FOY), were produced. FOY is a nationally recognized evidence-based program for AA youth in community settings; it increases condom use among sexually active youth and intentions to use condoms in abstinent youth. Community youth workers and agencies need training and support to replicate EBPs effectively. An important aspect of effectively leading EBPs is implementation fidelity, of which a primary focus is adherence to core program elements. FOY is more likely to be taught with fidelity and replicate positive student outcomes if youth workers are prepared and have the knowledge, skill, motivation and support to implement the curricula with fidelity. Despite the positive effects of skills-based training on implementation effectiveness, community youth workers frequently do not or cannot attend face-to-face training because of limited availability, cost, travel and time constraints. Face-to-face trainings often do not provide ongoing support and opportunities for reinforcement of past learning - which is crucial. The proposed Phase II SBIR will develop and rigorously evaluate the effectiveness of an online training and support system, the "24/7 FOY Training". The training will be consistent with the EBP replication literature and will include: 1) orientation to the curriculum and core components; 2) activity modeling, hands on practice, adaptation guidance, implementation tips, and 3) technical assistance on implementation challenges. The training will reflect adult learning theory and incorporate innovations in online learning, such as highly interactive, media-rich simulations for skill practice and feedback, personalized learning strands for quick and efficient training use, user generated content (including podcasting), and online flash cards accessible on mobile devices, or for printing. To test the effectiveness of the 24/7 FOY Training, we will conduct a pre-test/post-test randomized controlled trial, randomizing at the youth worker (facilitator) pair level to one of two arms: 1) the online training intervention arm; or 2) the community standard (self preparation) control arm. Because FOY is lead by two facilitators, we will recruit approximately 230 pairs of community youth workers to participate, with approximately 115 pairs in each arm. The proposed research will contribute a model for training community youth workers to effectively implement activities integral to the core content elements of FOY. If this model proves to be effective, the online skills-based training developed under this grant will provide an accessible, low-cost, "always-on" training and implementation support service. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: HIV infection in African American communities is a continuing public health crisis in the US. Over the last two decades, several evidence-based programs (EBPs), including Focus on Youth (FOY), were produced. Given the recent failure of other promising prevention initiatives (e.g., vaccine trials and microbicides) the importance of effective dissemination and implementation of these evidence-based programs becomes even more critical. However, despite the known positive effects of skills-based training on implementation effectiveness, community youth workers frequently do not or cannot acquire the training they need on these programs due to time, monetary or other barriers. The proposed online training program and support system, the "24/7 FOY Training" will prepare community youth workers to effectively implement activities integral to the core content elements of FOY, a key aspect of fidelity. If this model proves to be effective, the online skills-based training developed under this grant will provide an accessible, low-cost, "always-on" training and implementation support service which will help prevent the spread of HIV in African American communities.